Wisconsin Football Updated Bowl Projections from Major Networks

At the bye, the Wisconsin Badgers football program is 3-1. While the puzzle pieces haven’t all been put together yet, the Badgers are coming into their own as they hit a well-timed week off. 

Wisconsin has seen some movement in the AP Poll, starting the season as the No. 19 ranked team before tumbling down the charts after losing to Washington State. However, they have remained on the bubble, as UW has received votes in every poll leading up to the bye. 

One thing that hasn’t changed much is Wisconsin’s bowl projections. With that in mind, let’s look at which bowl games major networks see the Badgers in after four weeks.

CBS: Wisconsin Football vs. Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl

Here’s one projection that has stayed the same. Going into the 2023 season, CBS had projected Wisconsin to play against the Volunteers. Both teams have been slightly underperforming, but it looks like CBS is sticking to their guns on this projection.

This would be the third time the Badgers and the Volunteers face off. Tennessee leads the all-time series 2-0, with the last matchup being a 21-17 Volunteers victory in the Outback Bowl.

USA Today: Wisconsin Football vs. Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl

USA Today has also stuck with their preseason projection, having the Badgers and Volunteers squaring off. 

Bleacher Report: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Alabama in the Citrus Bowl

A bit of a change up here. Bleacher Report still has Wisconsin projected to play in the Citrus Bowl, but against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

This would be the third meeting between Wisconsin and Alabama. The all-time record is tied at 1-1, with their last matchup coming in 2015 when the Crimson Tide took home a 35-17 victory. 

ESPN: Wisconsin vs. LSU in the Citrus Bowl & Wisconsin vs. Colorado in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl

ESPN currently has two different projections for the Badgers football team. The first one comes from Kyle Bonagura, who has Wisconsin taking on LSU in the Citrus Bowl. This would mark the third meeting between the two programs, with the last matchup coming from the 2016 classic at Lambeau Field, where the Badgers won 16-14. The all-time series is tied at 1-1. 

Mark Schlabach sees it a bit differently and has UW taking on Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes in the Las Vegas Bowl. Wisconsin has faced Colorado just three times, with the last matchup dating all the way back to 2002. The Buffaloes lead the all-time series 2-1. 

Other Wisconsin Football Bowl Projections

Sep 22, 2023; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell leads his team onto the field prior to the game at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

College Football Network: Wisconsin vs. Kentucky in the Reliaquest Bowl

The College Football Network has Wisconsin with a projected matchup against Kentucky in the Reliaquest Bowl. 

The Badgers and Wildcats have matched up just one time in history. In 1984, Kentucky took down the Badgers in a low-scoring 20-19 win. 

Action Network: Wisconsin vs. UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl

The Action Network echoed ESPN’s projection of a Las Vegas Bowl appearance for Wisconsin but with a matchup against UCLA.

The Wisconsin Badgers and the Bruins have had their fair share of run-ins with each other, facing off 11 times in history. However, their last matchup was in 2000, when the Badgers secured a 21-20 victory. UCLA currently leads the all-time series 7-4.

Wisconsin Badgers football currently has the week off, but they will face off against Rutgers on October 7th as both teams look to improve to 4-1.

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